Robert John Cross (October 1, 1803 - February 15, 1873) was an American pioneer. He was the first permanent settler of the town of Roscoe, Illinois, the County Treasurer of Winnebago County, Illinois, and a member of the Illinois General Assembly.
Robert John Cross | |
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 | |
| Born | October 1, 1803. Newburgh, New York |
| Died | February 15, 1873 (aged 69) Roscoe, Illinois |
| Occupation(s) | Farmer, Politician |
| Known for | First settler of Roscoe, Illinois |
| Political party | Whig, Republican |
| Spouse | Hannah Benedict |
| Children | 5 |
Personal life edit
Cross was born in Newburgh, New York, the third child of Rev. John Cross and Margaret Hanna Cross. In 1825 he moved to Tecumseh, Michigan where he built and resided in a log cabin. In 1830 Cross moved to Coldwater, Michigan. In 1832 he was a private in the Michigan militia where he was mustered to defend Chicago during the Black Hawk War, but the brigade, commanded by General Joseph W. Brown, was mustered out before reaching Chicago.[1] In 1835 Cross moved to Illinois and purchased the first claim made in the town or Roscoe for the purpose of permanent settlement and cultivation, making him the first town settler.[2] His primary occupation was farmer, but he also filled several positions in local government.
Political career edit
1831: Appointed a member of overseers of highways by highway commissioners in Coldwater, Michigan[1]
1832: Commissioner of highway in Coldwater, Michigan[1]
1832: Justice of the Peace for Coldwater, Michigan, for which he was paid $5[1]
1836: Judge of election for Winnebago County election, for the first election ever held in Winnebago country,[3] for which he was paid $1[4]
1836: Justice of the Peace in Winnebago County[3]
1836: Judge of election for precinct for presidential election[3]
1836–1839: County treasurer for Winnebago County,[4] for which he was paid $2/day or $30, plus 2% commission or $9.28[5]
1841: Vice President of the newly formed Winnebago County Agricultural Society[5]
1845: Member of the state legislature[2]
1846: Elected by the Whigs as Representative to the General Assembly[5]
1847: Delegate from Winnebago Country for the Illinois constitutional convention to revise the constitution of the state, where he was also appointed a member of the committee on the bill of rights[5]
1860: Town of Roscoe Supervisor[2]
1869: Delegate for a second time for the Illinois constitutional convention that formed the present Illinois state constitution[4]
1872–1873: Elected by the Republicans as Representative to the General Assembly; Cross died while holding this appointment[4]
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Winnebago County, Illinois, for several years, occupying that position at the time of his death[4]
Township School Fund Trustee for Roscoe, Illinois, for over thirty consecutive years[4]
Legacy edit
The Robert J Cross Memorial Park was dedicated in Roscoe, Illinois in 2018. The park was named for Cross in honor of his contributions to settlement of the Roscoe area and his role in the local, county and state government.[2]
In 2018, the Roscoe Township purchased the property that contains the Robert J Cross home, and designated the development as Founder's Park.[6] Restoration of the home, which was built between 1831 and 1845, began in 2019 by the Roscoe Township Historical Society.[7] The Society is raising private funds to complete the restoration of the homestead exterior.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Johnson, Crisfield (1879). History of Branch County, Michigan. Philadelphia: Everts.
- ^ a b c d Gavan, Hillary. "Roscoe park to be named after pioneer". Beloit Daily News. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ a b c Carr, Edson Irving (1898). The history of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois: 1820 to 1898. Rockton, Ill.: Herald Office Print.
- ^ a b c d e f H. F. Kett & Co (1877). The History of Winnebago County, Illinois : its past and present, containing ... a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics ... history of the Northwest, history of Illinois ... etc. University of California Libraries. Chicago : H. F. Kett & Co.
- ^ a b c d Church, Charles A.; New England Society of Rockford, Ill (1900). History of Rockford and Winnebago county, Illinois, from the first settlement in 1834 to the civil war. Rockford, Ill.: W.P. Lamb, printer.
- ^ "Roscoe Township". www.toi.org. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
- ^ Society, Roscoe Township Historical. "Cross Homestead Restoration Begins". Roscoe Township Historical Society. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
- ^ Society, Roscoe Township Historical. "Roscoe Township Historical Society". Roscoe Township Historical Society. Retrieved 2023-04-05.